U.S. report flags hostile personal, verbal attacks on local media

Aug 14, 2025 News

…Govt. discrimination, censorship also cited

U.S. report flags hostile personal, verbal attacks on local media

Media workers providing coverage of Nomination Day on July 14, 2025

Kaieteur News – The United States 2024 Human Rights Report on Guyana has cited that the local media has reported discrimination and hostile personal verbal attacks.

The U.S. cited that Guyana’s constitution provided for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media and noted that the PPP government generally respected this right.

However, the report said too that the Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party government has monopolised state-owned media. The U.S noted that independent news media were active and expressed a wide variety of views, but it states that some members of media reported they faced discrimination and hostile personal verbal attacks in response to public inquiries.

Guyana’s media scene includes both private and state-owned outlets like Stabroek News, Kaieteur News, Guyana Times, Guyana Chronicle, and the National Communications Network. “Members of the media reported the government leveraged access to state advertising funds to censor indirectly independent media outlets. Members of the press reported the government ignored their requests for information, which impeded their work,” report said in relation to Censorship by governments, military, intelligence, or police forces, criminal groups, or armed extremist or rebel groups.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Guyana had moved up four places on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, now ranking 73rd out of 180 countries. The index was released in May 2025 by Reporters without Borders (RSF), an international non-profit organisation.

Notably, the report stated that while freedom of speech and the right to information are protected in Guyana, journalists who challenge the authorities still face threats and intimidation. Many independent media outlets also struggle financially, as government advertising often favours pro-government media.

RSF stated that politically, the government’s practice of hiring media workers for state jobs has weakened private newsrooms. Journalists also face legal threats, including defamation lawsuits, which discourage investigative reporting. Further, it was stated that economically, independent media compete with better-funded, government-backed outlets. This makes it difficult for them to survive. In addition, it was stated that socially, journalists are generally respected but face verbal attacks from politicians. Some officials also refuse interviews with reporters they see as critical, it was stated.

In terms of safety, physical violence is rare. It was stated, “While journalists are rarely the target of physical acts of violence, television investigative journalist Travis Chase’s car was shot at in December 2023. Media professionals have also faced legal intimidation and suspensions. They are often bullied online by political actors and sometimes unknown persons.”

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discrimination, Freedom, Guyana, hostile personal, press, United States, verbal attacks

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